Direct Democracy

Should people decide on more political issues? Should citizens be allowed to propose legislation? Should they even be allowed to recall politicians if they do not live up to their expectations? These questions and many others form the subject of this timely book. Combining the latest scholarship and academic research with current debates, Direct democracy is essential reading for political scientists, lawyers, journalists and anybody who is interested in the challenges facing democracies today. Direct democracy shows when government by the people can improve democratic governance. It provides empirical evidence that more democratic engagement often improves the lives of ordinary citizens. In addition to presenting an up-to-date review of the empirical literature, the book provides a survey of the political philosophers who have theorised about direct democracy. It is the central tenet in the book that the demand for direct democracy is a direct consequence of the demand for more consumer choices. Like consumers want individualised products, so voters want individualised and bespoke policies. Described by the BBC as 'The world's leading expert on referendums', Matt Qvortrup draws on his experience as a political adviser to the UN and the US State Department, as well as his extensive academic knowledge of direct democracy. This combination of theoretical prowess and practical experience makes Direct democracy a unique contribution to the political science of direct democracy, which should be on reading lists for both graduate and undergraduate courses in political science in Britain and abroad.